6 injured, including firefighter, as residents jump from West Chicago apartment fire

CHICAGO - Five residents and one firefighter were injured after a fire broke out at an apartment complex in West Chicago early Thursday.

People clung to windows and jumped off balconies to escape a fire that broke out just after 1 a.m. at the 24-unit apartment building at 813 Burr Oaks Drive, according to the West Chicago Fire Department.

When crews arrived, they found the second and third stories on fire and people still trapped inside.

"Some of the families were trapped upstairs and we had some that had jumped out of the buildings," said West Chicago Police Chief Colin Fleury. "One of my officers and maybe a group of people helped catch a nine-year-old that was released out of one of the windows."

"We did have people that were hanging out on balconies on the rear of the building. We transported five victims. All were with somewhat minor injuries, and we had one firefighter transported with exhaustion," said West Chicago Fire Chief Patrick Tanner.

The five residents were taken to Loyola University Medical Center. Three have been released and two remain hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, Battalion Chief Wade Johnson said. The firefighter suffered a minor injury and was discharged.

A total of 103 residents were displaced by the fire and are now staying at the New Hope United Methodist Church where the Red Cross is assisting families, which includes 30 children and several pets.

"We’ve got people sleeping here because they haven't had any sleep," said Connie Esparza with the American Red Cross of Illinois. "They're resting, they're having a meal, they're, you know, contacting family and trying to identify what their next steps are towards recovery."

The cause is under investigation, but it does not appear to be intentional. This is the second large fire the complex has suffered in the past year.

Community members can help the displaced victims by clicking HERE.